CFE223 for 168 gr bullets in LR308B

GlockHead77 · April 17, 2012, 09:48 AM

Hello Everyone,

Here are some chronograph results from loads I worked up using CFE223 and Hornady 168gr HPBT bullets in my DPMS LR308B.

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Rifle: LR308B, 18' barrel, 1:10 twist, carbine length gas port
Components: CFE223, Hornady 168gr HPBT, Winchester cases, CCI Large Rifle primers, OAL 2.800"
Chronograph: CED M2 (approximately 12' from muzzle)

CFE223: 5 shot strings

Charge -- Avg fps
47.0---2538.0
47.5---2572.2
48.0---2630.0
48.5---2638.2 -- TOO HOT!! Started to see smearing of case head.
49.0---2697.5 -- TOO HOT!! Pierced a primer!

308 Recipe 2 Chrono Data.png

And for comparison...

Federal Premium 168gr SMK HPBT (Avg: 2467.6 fps / 5 shots)
Federal Premium 168gr SMK HPBT.png

Winchester SuperX 150gr Power Point (Avg: 2655.2 fps / 5 shots)
Win SuperX 150gr Power Point.png

WWWJD · April 17, 2012, 11:36 AM

Thanks for that; been thinking about trying this stuff in my .308, with the idea being that I may get better case fill and better metering through my auto-disk..., and just to try the latest schtuff.

Were the 48 and 48.5 compressed loads? I don't remember what comes up on Hodgdon's site, but I know for the stick powders, what they called compressed loads were a little off. Actually got into the case shoulder/neck a little sooner than they said I would.

GlockHead77 · April 17, 2012, 01:14 PM

Good question. I don't think they were compressed. I didn't see a ring on the bullet to indicate extra force was needed to seat the bullet.

I just picked up one of the rounds loaded with 49.0 grains and I could hear the powder rattle back and forth as I shook it. I'm pretty sure it was not compressed.

WWWJD · April 17, 2012, 01:36 PM

Ah... so it sounds like it would be opposite of what I'm thinking regarding case fill; Varget's topping off the case at 44.5 grains (for me anyway).

Scharfschuetzer · April 17, 2012, 03:16 PM

Thanks Glockhead.

How about the claim of reduced copper fauling? Did you notice any?

GlockHead77 · April 17, 2012, 08:45 PM

Shame on me, I haven't cleaned the rifle yet. I'll let you know when I do.

GlockHead77 · April 27, 2012, 10:15 AM

I cleaned the rifle and there was some copper fouling. Not a lot but there was some.

However, be aware that I did shoot some factory ammunition (15 rounds) over the chronograph before I shot my test rounds with the CFE223, so I can't be sure where the copper fouling came from.

hooligan1 · April 29, 2012, 10:41 AM

I wish they would incorporate this material in all powders!!!

April 17, 2012, 09:48 AM	#1
GlockHead77 Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2012 Posts: 6	CFE223 for 168 gr bullets in LR308B Hello Everyone, Here are some chronograph results from loads I worked up using CFE223 and Hornady 168gr HPBT bullets in my DPMS LR308B. CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. Rifle: LR308B, 18' barrel, 1:10 twist, carbine length gas port Components: CFE223, Hornady 168gr HPBT, Winchester cases, CCI Large Rifle primers, OAL 2.800" Chronograph: CED M2 (approximately 12' from muzzle) CFE223: 5 shot strings Charge -- Avg fps 47.0---2538.0 47.5---2572.2 48.0---2630.0 48.5---2638.2 -- TOO HOT!! Started to see smearing of case head. 49.0---2697.5 -- TOO HOT!! Pierced a primer! 308 Recipe 2 Chrono Data.png And for comparison... Federal Premium 168gr SMK HPBT (Avg: 2467.6 fps / 5 shots) Federal Premium 168gr SMK HPBT.png Winchester SuperX 150gr Power Point (Avg: 2655.2 fps / 5 shots) Win SuperX 150gr Power Point.png Last edited by GlockHead77; April 17, 2012 at 01:17 PM.

April 17, 2012, 11:36 AM	#2
WWWJD Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Central KY Posts: 552	Thanks for that; been thinking about trying this stuff in my .308, with the idea being that I may get better case fill and better metering through my auto-disk..., and just to try the latest schtuff. Were the 48 and 48.5 compressed loads? I don't remember what comes up on Hodgdon's site, but I know for the stick powders, what they called compressed loads were a little off. Actually got into the case shoulder/neck a little sooner than they said I would. Last edited by WWWJD; April 17, 2012 at 11:45 AM.

April 17, 2012, 01:36 PM	#4
WWWJD Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Central KY Posts: 552	Ah... so it sounds like it would be opposite of what I'm thinking regarding case fill; Varget's topping off the case at 44.5 grains (for me anyway). __________________ *~Mark* NRA Endowment FTW

April 17, 2012, 03:16 PM	#5
Scharfschuetzer Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2012 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 293	Thanks Glockhead. How about the claim of reduced copper fauling? Did you notice any? __________________ Scharfschuetzer US Army Distinguished Rifleman Washington State Distinguished Rifleman NRA Police Distinguished Expert

April 29, 2012, 10:41 AM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,586	I wish they would incorporate this material in all powders!!! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

April 17, 2012, 01:14 PM	#3
GlockHead77 Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2012 Posts: 6	Good question. I don't think they were compressed. I didn't see a ring on the bullet to indicate extra force was needed to seat the bullet. I just picked up one of the rounds loaded with 49.0 grains and I could hear the powder rattle back and forth as I shook it. I'm pretty sure it was not compressed.

April 17, 2012, 08:45 PM	#6
GlockHead77 Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2012 Posts: 6	Shame on me, I haven't cleaned the rifle yet. I'll let you know when I do.

April 27, 2012, 10:15 AM	#7
GlockHead77 Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2012 Posts: 6	I cleaned the rifle and there was some copper fouling. Not a lot but there was some. However, be aware that I did shoot some factory ammunition (15 rounds) over the chronograph before I shot my test rounds with the CFE223, so I can't be sure where the copper fouling came from.